Friction actuated, ratchet type wrench



OctQlG, 1956 M. JAZWIECK 2,766,643

FRICTION ACTUATED, RATCHET TYPE WRENCH Filed 001;. 26, 1955 Wig. i.

INVENTOR. i

AM. Jazwiea Mm W The present invention relates to improvements in tools and is particularly directed to a novel tool of the socket wrench type.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a friction locking means which is in the form of a substitute for a ratchet means and which is adaptable to all tools and devices for locking a turning member in one direction and releasing it in the other direction.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a socket type wrench in which a drum adapted to hold a plurality of sockets or the like is disposed within a friction ring which is carried by a handle member in a manner to frictionally engage and hold the drum against independent movement, in one direction of movement of the handle, and to release the drum for independent rotative movement, in the other direction of movement of the handle.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide a socket type wrench which is operated on a principle of friction and which may be employed, because of its construction, in comparatively close and inaccessible quarters.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a compact, simple and inexpensive wrench which is dependably constructed.

The foregoing and ancillary objects and structural features of merit are attained by this invention, the preferred form of which is set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein;

Figure l is a top plan view of the instant device, with parts broken away, and,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the above referred to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely for the purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any manner departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And while there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention, it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 generally designates the socket type wrench, which includes an elongated handle 12. The handle is of any desired length and has opposing flat faces 14 and 16, which are beveled at their side edges 18 for easier gripping of the handle. One end of the handle is bifurcated, as at 20, such end being the inner end. The bifurcations or branches 22 and 24 extend outwardly from the upper and lower faces of the handle, as shown in Figure 2, and receive therebetween or straddle the jaws 26 and 28 of an annular tension or split spring ring 30, as will be described.

The socket member 32 of the wrench comprises a drum atent 34, which has a central squared or noncircular opening 36 for the reception of a socket 38 or the like. The drum 34 is circular in plan view and, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, has a double beveled peripheral edge The edge 40 is triangular in cross-section and includes a central circular edge from which flat sections extend inwardly to the opposing faces of the drum.

The tension ring 30, which forms the operating means of the socket member, substantially encircles the drum 34, except for a small open portion 42, as shown in Figure l. The tension ring is shaped to complement the configuration of the peripheral edge of the drumwhich rotates within the tension ring and is held against independent axial movement due to the shape of the edge and the tension ring.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2' of the drawing, it will be noted that the jaws 26 and 28 are formed integral with the tension ring and extend rearwardly, relative to the handle, therefrom at its split 42. In this regard, the ring 30 is split, as at 42, and the jaws project rearwardly from the ring on opposite sides of the split 42. The jaw or bearing plate 26 is longer than the jaw or lug 28 and has an outer end that is laterally wider than the jaw and is positioned between the branches or arms 22 and 24 and mounted therebetween by a pin 44. The jaw 28 is pinned by a pin 46 between the branches and has a straight rear edge 48 which is spaced from and complemental to a straight edge 50 on the jaw 26.

The split tension ring 30 is moved into frictional engagement of the drum 34 by movement of the handle in one direction and the drum is free to rotate in the other direction of the handle. Due to the arrangement of the jaws on opposite sides of the split 42, the tension ring is movable into and out of frictional engagement of the drum.

When the pin 46 is used as a pivot, the opening 42 is closed to tighten the tension ring 30 on the drum and thereby unite the two for common movement under the impetus of the handle, which is manually moved. When the pin 44 is used as a pivot, in the opposite direction of movement of the handle, the opening 42 is enlarged, releasing the tension against the edge of the drum and allowing the drum to freely rotate relative to the tension ring.

Because of the space 42, very little movement must be applied to the handle to alternately tighten and release the drum.

Since equal pressure is applied at all points around the circumferential edge of the drum by the tension ring 30, the drum and whatever socket should be attached therein will be held extremely tight, and a very good tightening or loosening action will be obtained from the use of this wrench.

From the foregoing specification, it will become apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has been designed and in an economical manner, and that its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device, considering what it will accomplish, and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a friction actuated ratchet type wrench, the coma) bination which comprises a split spring ring, a bearing plate extended from one end of the ring, a lug extended from the end of the ring opposite to the end from which the bearing plate extends, a handle having a bifurcated end positioned whereby arms extended from the bifurcated end straddle the bearing plate, a pin pivotally mounting the handle on the bearing plate providing a fulcrum for the handle, a pin pivotally connecting the extended ends of the arms extended from the handle to the lug, and a socket member having an opening therethrough rotatably mounted in the split spring ring.

2. In a friction actuated ratchet type wrench, the combination which comprises a split spring ring, a bearing plate having a recess in one side carried by and extended from one end of the split spring ring, a lug extended from the end of the ring opposite to the end from which the bearing plate extends, said lug having an arcuate projection positioned to extend in the recess in the side of the bearing plate, a handle having a bifurcated end positioned whereby arms extended from the bifurcated end straddle the bearing plate and lug, a pin extended through the arms of the handle and bearing plate for pivotally connecting the handle to the ring, a pin pivotally connecting the extended ends of the arms extended from the handle to said lug, and a socket member having an opening surrounded by flat surfaces rotatably mounted in said ring, said split spring ring and the coacting peripheral surface of the socket member being V-shaped in cross section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 208,057 Beck Sept. 17, 1878 218,285 Leaycraft Aug. 5, 1879 276,064 Morse Apr. 17, 1883 FOREIGN PATENTS 393,243 Great Britain Aug. 24, 1931 387,590 Great Britain Feb. 9, 1933 583,908 Germany Sept. 12, 1933 599,682 Germany July 7, 1934 

